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The
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is wrapping up a comprehensive study
of the Sunday hunting issue and at the direction of the General Assembly
will immediately begin a second, specific study of allowing Sunday
hunting on a limited number of state game lands.
Currently in North Carolina, hunting on Sunday is prohibited by state
statute except on some military installations where the federal government
has exclusive jurisdiction. The ban has been in effect since 1869.
"At the request of Gov. Mike Easley, our agency has been coordinating
a study to evaluate the attitudes and opinions of North Carolina citizens
regarding hunting on Sundays," said Richard B. Hamilton, executive
director of the Wildlife Resources Commission. "Our objective
is to gather information that will assist the Governor and the General
Assembly in determining whether any change in the Sunday hunting law
is appropriate."
Any changes to the law restricting Sunday hunting must be made by the
General Assembly; the Wildlife Resources Commission does not have the
authority to legislate changes.
The public comment phase on Sunday hunting, as an overall issue, concludes
Aug. 31. To include your viewpoints:
- Comments
may be registered online.
- Written comments may be sent to Sunday Hunting Comments, N.C. Wildlife
Resources Commission, 1722 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1722
Responsive
Management, Inc., in conjunction with Virginia
Tech, was
contracted by the Commission to gather input about Sunday hunting. The
nationally recognized research firm, which specializes in natural resource
and outdoor recreation issues, met with citizens throughout North Carolina
and conducted a statewide phone survey of the general public and a mail
survey of hunters.
>"Because we realize that many citizens would like to express their
views on Sunday hunting, in addition to the scientific public opinion
study by Responsive Management and Virginia Tech, the Commission has
also been collecting public comments," said Dain Palmer, human
dimensions biologist with the Commission.
Among findings that will be presented to lawmakers are the potential
impacts on state and local economies and management of game populations,
and how hunting on Sundays could affect Commission operations.
At the direction of the General Assembly from action taken Thursday
(July 27), the Commission will now conduct an additional study on allowing
hunting on Sundays at a limited number of game lands.
The Commission will include the issue in January public hearings in
each of its nine districts across the state. The issues to be evaluated
include:
- The suitability of individual game lands for Sunday hunting, including
the status of its wildlife species, the proximity to population centers
and the range of recreational opportunities available.
- Methods of hunting, including the use of dogs.
- Limiting hunting privileges to avoid possible interference with religious
services.
- Other non-hunting recreational uses, including horseback riding,
hiking, canoeing, birding and biking, among others.
The study of Sunday hunting on select game lands will gather input from
a wide variety of groups and individuals, including conservation organizations,
businesses and private landowners.
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